Studies indicate that individuals who habitually wolf down their meals face a higher risk of gastric cancer. Thorough chewing reduces digestive strain and lowers the likelihood of gastrointestinal cancers. Saliva possesses potent detoxifying properties, capable of nearly neutralizing the toxicity of aflatoxin—a primary carcinogen linked to liver cancer—within 30 seconds.Next, we'll explain how thorough chewing benefits digestion while excessive chewing can harm appearance.
Medical Perspective
Slow Chewing Primarily Benefits Gastric Emptying
"From a digestive perspective, slow chewing certainly aids food digestion. However, claims that it prevents cancer—particularly the assertion that saliva's detoxifying effect can eliminate aflatoxin within 30 seconds—are inaccurate."
Fang Lifeng, Director of Gastroenterology at Zhengzhou First People's Hospital, explains that the common belief in slow eating aiding digestion holds merit. Thorough chewing breaks down food into finer particles, facilitating gastric emptying (the passage of food from the stomach into the duodenum).
"Gastric emptying speed correlates with food texture and chemical composition: carbohydrates empty faster than proteins, proteins faster than fats, and thin, fluid foods faster than thick, solid foods," Fang explained.
This explains why eating sugar or drinking water leaves one feeling empty quickly, while consuming meat creates a prolonged feeling of fullness—both tied to gastric emptying rates.
Consequently, thorough chewing breaks down food into finer particles and a more fluid state, inevitably accelerating gastric emptying and enhancing digestive efficiency.
Saliva's Antiseptic Effects Are Limited
Increased chewing stimulates greater saliva production, and numerous articles extolling the benefits of thorough chewing highlight saliva's remarkable properties.
"Saliva is 99% water, so its primary functions are moistening the mouth and softening food. During digestion, saliva only performs preliminary digestion. Since saliva contains only amylase, it primarily digests starches. Proteins, fats, and other nutrients require digestion by the intestines, pancreas, and other organs," explains Fang Lifeng.
Regarding saliva's detoxification function, while Fang acknowledges it secretes certain immune substances, their quantity, variety, and potency are limited, offering only modest cancer-preventive effects.
Thus, though saliva contributes to digestion and immunity, it falls short of being a "golden nectar" and its role should not be exaggerated.
Overchewing Damages Appearance
With today's fast-paced lifestyle, many people wolf down their meals. To improve digestion efficiency, we should advocate for thorough chewing and slow eating. However, everything has its limits, and eating is no exception.
"Most people don't count how many times they chew each mouthful, but 30 times is indeed excessive. There's no need to obsess over a specific number—chew until you feel it's sufficient. Both overdoing it and underdoing it can be problematic."
Fang Lifeng explains that excessive chewing has two main drawbacks: First, over-chewing produces more gas, increasing the burden on the stomach and impairing digestion. Second, deliberately chewing slowly and thoroughly over time inevitably leads to developed masseter muscles, affecting facial aesthetics. This is especially noticeable in those who habitually chew on one side, resulting in uneven facial contours.
This effect is more pronounced in women. Many who've visited beauty salons have likely experienced this: when consulting aestheticians about refining facial contours, they're advised to chew on both sides and may be offered injections to soften overly developed masseter muscles on one side.
The pursuit of beauty and health are two defining traits of women.To strike a balance between thorough chewing and maintaining a healthy pace, women should aim for moderate chewing. Those who eat too slowly may consider slightly increasing their speed.
We've covered how thorough chewing benefits digestion while excessive chewing can harm appearance. We hope this provides valuable insight. Finally, we sincerely wish you good health and joy in life.